Chuck

ABSTRACT

A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver including a generally cylindrical body having a nose section and a tail section. The tail section defines an axial bore formed therein to mate with the drive shaft of the driver and the nose section defines an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of angularly disposed passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore. A plurality of jaws is slidably positioned in each passageway and each jaw defines a jaw face formed on one side and threads formed on the opposite side. A nut is disposed about the body for rotational movement with respect to the body and is in driving engagement with the jaw threads. A generally cylindrical front sleeve overlays the nose section of the body. A generally cylindrical nut retainer is disposed about the body and includes a frusto-conical portion.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/822,514, filed Apr.12, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7.018,146, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 10/355,774, filed Jan. 31, 2003, now U.S. Pat, No.6,736,410, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/074,290,filed Feb. 12, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,781, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 09/907,266, filed Jul. 17, 2001,now U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,815, which is a continuation of application Ser.No. 09/443,629, filed Nov. 19, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,918, whichis a continuation of continued prosecution application Ser. No.08/903,679, filed Jul. 31, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,266, which is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 08/472,181, filed Jun. 7, 1995, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,709,392, which is a continuation of application Ser. No.08/289,922, filed Aug. 12, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,473, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/106,063, filed Aug. 13,1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,317 the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to chucks for use with drills orwith electric or pneumatic power drivers. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a chuck of the keyless type which may be tightenedor loosened by hand or by actuation of the driver motor.

Both hand and electric or pneumatic tool drivers are well known.Although twist drills are the most common tools used with such drivers,the tools may also comprise screwdrivers, nut drivers, burrs, mountedgrinding stones and other cutting or abrading tools. Since the tools mayhave shanks of varying diameter or the cross-section of the tool shankmay be polygonal, the device is usually provided with a chuck which isadjustable over a relatively wide range. The chuck may be attached tothe driver by a threaded or tapered bore.

A wide variety of chucks have been developed in the art. In the simplestform of chuck, three jaws spaced circumferentially approximately 120degrees apart from each other are constrained by angularly disposedpassageways in a body attached onto the drive shaft and configured sothat rotation of the body in one direction relative to a constrained nutengaging the jaws forces the jaws into gripping relationship withrespect to the cylindrical shank of a tool, while rotation in theopposite direction releases the gripping relationship. Such a chuck maybe keyless if it is rotated by hand. One example of such a chuck isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,673 entitled “Non-Impact Keyless Chuck”commonly assigned to the present assignee, and whose entire disclosureis incorporated by reference herein.

Despite the success of keyless chucks such as set forth in U.S. Pat. No.5,125,673, varying configurations of chucks are desirable for a varietyof applications. Currently utilized in a variety of chuck applicationsare ball bearings for reducing friction between the nut and body fromaxial thrust of the nut onto the body. These bearings are sometimescaged and have separate top and bottom thrust races. Sometimes the bodyor the nut, if hard enough, can serve as the bottom or top thrust race,respectively. It would be desirable to have a keyless chuck thatrequires fewer components or lower manufacturing or assembly cost. Inaddition, it would be desirable to have a chuck configuration wherebyradial as well as axial thread stresses were minimized when the chuckwas operated. Further, it would be desirable to have a chuck whereby thefront sleeve is maintained in place by a nosepiece that is bothfunctional and serves an aesthetic purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoingconsiderations, and others of prior art constructions and methods.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved chuck. It is another object of the present invention to providea chuck that minimizes radial as well as axial stress during operation.It is another object of the present invention to provide a keyless chuckthat has a minimum number of individual components that must beassembled. It is another object of the present invention to provide achuck with an improved nosepiece that is both decorative and retains thefront sleeve in place.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmechanism for maintaining a one-piece nut on the body of a chuck.

These and other objects are achieved by providing a chuck for use with amanual or power driver having a rotatable drive shaft, the chuckcomprising a generally cylindrical body member having a nose section anda tail section. The tail section has an axial bore formed therein tomate with the drive shaft of the driver, and the nose section has anaxial bore formed therein and a plurality of angularly disposedpassageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axial bore. Thechuck further includes a plurality of jaws slidably positioned in eachof the angularly disposed passageways, each of the jaws having a jawface formed on one side thereof and threads formed on the opposite sidethereof. The chuck further includes a nut rotatably mounted on the bodyand in engagement with the threads of the jaws and a bearing thrust ringfixed on the body member. The chuck further includes a self-containedanti-friction bearing assembly disposed between the nut and the thrustring and a generally cylindrical front sleeve member in drivingengagement with the nut and overlying the nose section of the bodymember whereby when the front sleeve member is rotated with respect tothe body member, the jaws will be moved thereby.

These and other objects are also accomplished by providing a chuck foruse with a manual or power driver having a rotatable drive shaft, thechuck comprising a generally cylindrical body member having a nosesection and a tail section, the tail section having an axial bore formedtherein to mate with the drive shaft of the driver, and the nose sectionhaving an axial bore formed therein and a plurality of angularlydisposed passageways formed therethrough and intersecting the axialbore. The chuck further includes a plurality of jaws slidably positionedin each of the angularly disposed passageways, each of the jaws having ajaw face formed on one side thereof and threads formed on the oppositeside thereof. The chuck further includes a nut rotatably mounted on thebody and in engagement with the threads on the jaws, and a generallycylindrical front sleeve member overlying the nose section of the bodymember and in driving engagement with the nut. The chuck furtherincludes a rust-resistant nosepiece adapted to be secured to the nosesection of the body, the nosepiece maintaining the front sleeve memberin driving engagement with the nut, whereby when said front sleevemember is rotated with respect to the body member, the jaws will bemoved thereby.

These and other objects are further accomplished by providing a chuckfor use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable drive shaft,the chuck comprising a generally cylindrical body member having a nosesection and a tail section. The tail section is adapted to mate with thedrive shaft of the driver and the nose section having an axial boreformed therein and a plurality of angularly disposed passageways formedtherethrough and intersecting said axial bore. The chuck furtherincludes a plurality of jaws slidably positioned in the angularlydisposed passageways, each of the jaws having a jaw face formed on oneside thereof. The chuck further including a nut rotatably mounted on thebody member and in engagement with the threads on the jaws. The chuckfurther includes a nut retainer member received on the body formaintaining the nut on the body, the nut retainer member including afrusto-conical portion. The chuck further includes a generallycylindrical front sleeve member in driving engagement with the nut andoverlying the nose section of the body member whereby when the frontsleeve member is rotated with respect to the body member, the jaws willbe moved thereby. In a preferred embodiment, the nut retainer memberfurther includes a cylindrical portion which is press fitted onto thebody member.

Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention arediscussed in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forthmore particularly in the remainder of the specification, includingreference to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view, partly in section, of a chuck inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the chuck illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal view, partly in cross-section of anotherembodiment in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the chuck illustrated in FIG. 3.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elementsof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the-art that thepresent discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, andis not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the presentinvention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplaryconstruction.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a chuck 10 in accordance with the presentinvention is illustrated. Chuck 10 includes a front sleeve member 12, anoptional rear sleeve member 14, a body member 16 and jaws 18. Bodymember 16 is generally cylindrical in shape and comprises a nose orforward section 20 and a tail or rearward section 22. An axial bore 24is formed in the nose section 20 of the body member 16. Axial bore 24 issomewhat larger than the largest tool shank that the chuck is designedto accommodate. A threaded bore 26 is formed in tail section 22 of body16 and is of a standard size to mate with the drive shaft of a poweredor hand driver (not shown). The bores 24, 26 may communicate at thecentral region 28 of body member 16. While a threaded bore 26 isillustrated, such bore could be replaced with a tapered bore of astandard size to mate with a tapered drive shaft.

Passageways 30 are formed in body member 16 to accommodate each jaw 18.Preferably, three jaws 18 are employed and each jaw 18 is separated fromthe adjacent jaw by an arc of approximately 120 degrees. The axes of thepassageways 30 and the jaws 18 are angled with respect to the chuck axisbut intersect the chuck axis at a common point ahead of the chuck body16. Each jaw 18 has a tool engaging face 32 which is generally parallelto the axis of the chuck body 16 and threads 34 on its opposite or outersurface. Threads 34 of any suitable type and pitch may be utilizedwithin the scope of the present invention as would be readily apparentto one skilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, body member 16 includes a thrust ringmember 36 which, in a preferred embodiment, is integral therewith.Thrust ring member 36 includes a thrust face 38. Thrust face 38 includesan arcuate seating surface 40 for engagement with the inner race of aself-contained anti-friction bearing assembly 42 as will be described inmore detail below. Thrust ring member 36 includes a plurality of jawguideways 30 formed around the circumference to permit retraction of thejaws 18 therethrough.

Body member 16 includes a rear cylindrical portion 44 with a knurledsurface 46 thereon for receipt of optional rear sleeve 14 to be pressedthereon if so desired. Body 16 further includes a first tapered portion48 extending from rear cylindrical portion 44 to thrust ring 36. Asecond tapered portion 50 extends from the area of thrust face 38 to afront cylindrical portion 52. Front cylindrical portion 52 is of greaterdiameter than the smaller end of second tapered portion 50 and forms afirst circumferential groove 54 intermediate the nose and tail sections20 and 22 of body 16. Body 16 further includes a reduced diameter noseportion 56 that is adapted to receive a nosepiece 58 as will bedescribed in more detail below.

The present invention further includes a nut 60 which, in a preferredembodiment, is a split nut and which includes threads 62 for mating withthreads 34 on jaws 18 whereby when said nut is rotated with respect tosaid body, said jaws will be advanced or retracted. Nut 60 is adapted toreceive a retaining band 64 for maintaining nut 60 together after it isassembled. In the illustrated embodiment, a split nut is utilizedbecause of the diameter of front cylindrical portion 52. Nut 60 includesdrive slots 66 for mating with drive ribs 68 on front sleeve 12 so thatwhen front sleeve 12 is rotated, nut 60 will rotate therewith and movejaws 18 as set forth above.

A self-contained bearing assembly 42 is adapted to be placed betweenthrust ring 36 and a face 70 of nut 60. Self-contained bearing assembly42 includes an inner race 72, an outer race 74 and bearing elements 76maintained therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, bearing elements 76are ball bearings. Self-contained bearing assembly 42 may furtherinclude a shroud 78 surrounding the inner and outer races 72, 74 formaintaining the bearing assembly as a self-contained component. Innerrace 72 includes an arcuate surface that is dimensioned and configuredto mate with arcuate seating surface 40 on thrust face 38 of thrust ring36. Such mating relationship assists in alignment and minimization ofboth axial and radial stresses when the chuck is operated. In apreferred embodiment, self-contained bearing assembly 42 is a radialthrust bearing.

Use of a self-contained bearing assembly has a number of advantages.Assembly is greatly simplified in that individual ball bearings andcages do not have to be handled. In addition, the body and nut are notrequired to be as hard or dense as is necessary with conventionalbearing systems where the body or nut may also serve as a thrust race,thus allowing more flexibility in materials and reducing secondarymanufacturing operations and, ultimately, cost.

Front sleeve member 12 is adapted to be loosely fitted over nose section20 of chuck 10. Drive ribs 68 of front sleeve 12 engage drive slots 66of nut 60 so that front sleeve 12 and nut 60 will be operativelyconnected, i.e., when front sleeve 12 is rotated, nut 60 will rotatetherewith. Front sleeve 12 includes an annular ledge portion 79 adaptedto rest at the inner face of front cylindrical portion 52 and noseportion 56. Nosepiece 58 is dimensioned and adapted to be pressed ontonose portion 56 to maintain front sleeve 12 on chuck 10. It should beappreciated that nosepiece 58 could also be secured by snap fit,threading or the like. Nosepiece 58 is exposed when said chuck isassembled and is preferably coated with a non-ferrous metallic coatingto prevent rust and to enhance its appearance. In a preferredembodiment, such coating may be zinc or nickel, however, it should beappreciated that any suitable coating could be utilized.

Nosepiece 58 serves to maintain front sleeve member 12 in position onchuck 10 and in driving engagement with nut 60. In addition, nosepiece58 serves the dual purpose of providing an aesthetically pleasing coverfor nose portion 56 that inhibits rust. This provides the advantage ofan aesthetically pleasing appearance without the necessity to coat theentire body member 16 with a non-ferrous material. If desired, the rearsleeve member 14 may be omitted and the front sleeve member 12 extendedto the tail end of body 16. This alternative is feasible when a spindlelock or the like is provided on the driver or when the driver is used totighten or loosen the jaws.

The circumferential surface of the front sleeve member 12 may be knurledor may be provided with longitudinal ribs or other protrusions to enablethe operator to grip it securely. In like manner, the circumferentialsurface of the rear sleeve member 14, if employed, may be knurled orribbed if desired. The front and rear sleeves may be fabricated from astructural plastic such as polycarbonate, a filled polypropylene, forexample, glass filled polypropylene, or a blend of structural plasticmaterials. Other composite materials such as, for example, graphitefilled polymerics would also be suitable in certain environments. Aswill be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the materials from whichthe chuck of the present invention is fabricated will depend on the enduse of the chuck, and the above are provided by way of example only.

It will be appreciated that rear sleeve member 14 is fixed to bodymember 16 while front sleeve member 12 is operatively associated withnut 60 and secured to body member 16 for relative rotation therewith.Relative movement of the front and rear sleeve members, 12 and 14, dueto the interaction between threads 34 on jaws 18 and threads 62 on nut60 causes jaws 18 to be advanced or retracted, depending upon thedirection of relative movement.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a chuck 110 in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Chuck 110 includes afront sleeve member 112, an optional rear sleeve member 114, a bodymember 116 and jaws 118. Body member 116 is generally cylindrical inshape and comprises a nose or forward section 120 and a tail or rearwardsection 122. An axial bore 124 is formed in the nose section 120 of thebody member 116. Axial bore 124 is somewhat larger than the largest toolshank that the chuck is designed to accommodate. A threaded bore 126 isformed in tail section 122 of body 116 and is of a standard size to matewith the drive shaft of a powered or hand driver (not shown). The bores124, 126 may communicate at the central region 128 of body member 116.While a threaded bore 126 is illustrated, such bore could be replacedwith a tapered bore of a standard size to mate with a tapered driveshaft.

Passageways 130 are formed in body member 116 to accommodate each jaw118. Preferably, three jaws 118 are employed and each jaw 118 isseparated from the adjacent jaw by an arc of approximately 120 degrees.The axes of the passageways 130 and the jaws 118 are angled with respectto the chuck axis but intersect the chuck axis at a common point aheadof the chuck body 116. Each jaw 118 has a tool engaging face 132 whichis generally parallel to the axis of the chuck body 116 and threads 134on its opposite or outer surface. Threads 134 of any suitable type andpitch may be utilized within the scope of the present invention as wouldbe readily apparent to one skilled in the art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, body member 116 includes a thrust ringmember 136 which, in a preferred embodiment, is integral therewith.Thrust ring member 136 includes a plurality of jaw guideways 150 formedaround the circumference to permit retraction of the jaws 118therethrough. Thrust ring member 136 may have an arcuate seating surfacefor receipt of a self-contained bearing assembly as described in theabove embodiment.

Body member 116 includes a rear cylindrical portion 144 with a knurledsurface 146 thereon for receipt of optional rear sleeve 114 to bepressed thereon if so desired.

The present invention further includes a nut 160 which, in a preferredembodiment, is a unitary nut and which includes threads 162 for matingwith threads 134 on jaws 118 whereby when said nut is rotated withrespect to said body, said jaws will be advanced or retracted. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, nut 160 includes drive slots 166 for mating withdrive ribs 168 on front sleeve 112 so that when front sleeve 112 isrotated, nut 160 will rotate therewith and move jaws 118 as set forthabove.

A self-contained bearing assembly 142 is adapted to be placed betweenthrust ring 136 and a face 170 of nut 160. Self-contained bearingassembly 142 includes an inner race 172, an outer race 174 and bearingelements 176 maintained therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, bearingelements 176 are ball bearings. Self-contained bearing assembly 142 mayfurther include a shroud 178 surrounding the inner and outer races 172,174 for maintaining the bearing assembly as a self-contained component.Inner race 172 may include an arcuate surface that is dimensioned andconfigured to mate with an arcuate seating surface on the thrust face ofthrust ring 136 such as illustrated in the previous embodiment, if sodesired. Such mating relationship assists in alignment and minimizationof both axial and radial friction when the chuck is operated. In apreferred embodiment, self-contained bearing assembly 142 is a radialthrust bearing. It should be appreciated that any type bearingarrangement including plain bearing surfaces could be utilized in thepresent invention.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, a nut retainer member is generallyillustrated at 143. Nut retainer member 143 includes a first generallycylindrical portion 145 and a second frusto-conical portion 147.Substantially cylindrical portion 145 is configured to be press fittedover nose or forward section 120 in a location so that a portion 149will engage nut 160 to prevent nut 160 from moving axially forward morethan a desired amount. This desired amount can be determined by thelocation in which the nut retainer member is pressed onto the bodymember. It should be appreciated that the nut retainer member 143 isadapted to be press fitted onto the nose portion of the body, but couldbe secured in any other suitable manner in accordance with the presentinvention. Nut member 160 defines a ledge 151 and nut retainer member143, through its portion 149, is adapted to be received on ledge 151when contact is made between nut 160 and nut retainer member 143.

Front sleeve member 112 is adapted to be loosely fitted over nosesection 120 of chuck 110. Drive ribs 168 of front sleeve 112 engagedrive slots 166 of nut 160 so that front sleeve 112 and nut 160 will beoperatively rotationally connected, i.e., when front sleeve 112 isrotated, nut 160 will rotate therewith.

A nosepiece 158 is dimensioned and adapted to be pressed onto the frontof the forward section 12Q of body member 116 to maintain front sleeve112 on chuck 110. It should be appreciated that nosepiece 158 could alsobe secured by snap fit, threading or the like. Nosepiece 158 is exposedwhen the chuck is assembled and is preferably coated with a non-ferrousmetallic coating to prevent rust and to enhance its appearance. In apreferred embodiment, such coating may be zinc or nickel, however, itshould be appreciated that any suitable coating could be utilized.

Nosepiece 158 serves to maintain front sleeve member 112 in position onchuck 110 and in driving engagement with nut 160. In addition, nosepiece158 serves the dual purpose of providing an aesthetically pleasing coverfor nose portion 156 that inhibits rust. This provides the advantage ofan aesthetically pleasing appearance without the necessity to coat theentire body member 116 with a non-ferrous material. If desired, the rearsleeve member 114 may be omitted and the front sleeve member 112extended to the tail end of body 116. This alternative is feasible whena spindle lock or the like is provided on the driver or when the driveris used to tighten or loosen the jaws.

It should also be appreciated that a snap ring or any other mechanismcould be utilized to maintain front sleeve 112 in place in lieu ofnosepiece 158.

The circumferential surface of the front sleeve member 112 may beknurled or may be provided with longitudinal ribs or other protrusionsto enable the operator to grip it securely. In like manner, thecircumferential surface of the rear sleeve member 114, if employed, maybe knurled or ribbed if desired. The front and rear sleeves may befabricated from a structural plastic such as polycarbonate, a filledpolypropylene, for example, glass filled polypropylene, or a blend ofstructural plastic materials. Other composite materials such as, forexample, graphite filled polymerics would also be suitable in certainenvironments. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, thematerials from which the chuck of the present invention is fabricatedwill depend on the end use of the chuck, and the above are provided byway of example only.

It will be appreciated that rear sleeve member 114 is fixed to bodymember 116 while front sleeve member 112 is operatively associated withnut 160 and secured to body member 116 for relative rotation therewith.Relative movement of the front and rear sleeve members, 112 and 114, dueto the interaction between threads 134 on jaws 118 and threads 162 onnut 160 causes jaws 118 to be advanced or retracted, depending upon thedirection of relative movement.

While the above description is set forth with respect to a keylesschuck, it should be appreciated that the principles of the presentinvention may be equally applicable to a keyed chuck, and such is withinthe scope of the present invention.

These and other modifications and variations to the present inventionmay be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which ismore particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, itshould be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may beinterchanged both in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary askill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is byway of example only, and is not intended to be limitative of theinvention so further described in such appended claims.

1. A chuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatabledrive shaft, said chuck comprising: a. a generally cylindrical bodymember having (i) a nose section having a first axial bore formedtherein, and (ii) a tail section having a second axial bore formedtherein, said second axial bore configured to receive the drive shaft ofthe driver; b. a plurality of jaws slidably disposed within said body incommunication with said nose section axial bore; c. a nut disposedrotatably about but axially fixed to said body and in driving engagementwith said jaws so that rotation of said nut with respect to said bodydrives said jaws into and out of said nose section axial bore; d. abearing disposed between said body and said nut; e. a front sleevemember rotatably disposed about said nose section of said body, saidfront sleeve member having a cylindrical recess formed in a frontportion thereof; and f. a nosepiece secured to said body nose section,said nosepiece having a generally cylindrical sidewall and an end wallextending radially inward therefrom, at least a portion of saidgenerally cylindrical sidewall being received within said cylindricalrecess of said front sleeve member so that said front sleeve member isaxially fixed relative to said body.
 2. The chuck as in claim 1, whereinsaid front sleeve member further includes an annular ledge extendingradially inwardly toward said nose section of said body and saidcylindrical sidewall of said nosepiece abuts said annular ledge.
 3. Thechuck as in claim 2, said body further comprising a front cylindricalportion disposed aft of said nose section, said front cylindricalportion having a diameter that is larger than that of said nose sectionsuch that said annular ledge of said front sleeve is rotatably receivedbetween said front cylindrical portion and said cylindrical sidewall ofsaid nosepiece.
 4. The chuck as in claim 1, wherein said nut is a splitnut formed in two halves.
 5. The chuck as in claim 2, wherein said splitnut is received in a groove formed in said body intermediate said nosesection and said tail section.
 6. The chuck as in claim 2, furthercomprising a nut retaining member axially fixed on said body forpreventing movement of said nut toward said nose section of said bodymember, said nut retainer member having a first portion defining a firstradius and a second portion defining a second radius that is larger thansaid first radius.
 7. The chuck as in claim 6, wherein said annularledge is rotatably received between said cylindrical sidewall of saidnosepiece and said first portion of said nut retainer member.
 8. Thechuck as in claim 7, wherein said nut retaining member first portion isgenerally cylindrical in shape.
 9. The chuck as in claim 8, wherein saidnut retaining member second portion is frustoconical in shape.
 10. Achuck for use with a manual or powered driver having a rotatable driveshaft said chuck comprising: a. a generallv cylindrical body memberhaving (i) a nose section having a first axial bore formed therein, and(ii) a tail section haying a second axial bore formed therein, saidsecond axial bore confinured to receive the drive shaft of the driver:b. a plurality of jaws slidably disposed within. said body incommunication. with said nose section axial bore; c. a nut disposedrotatably about but axially fixed to said body and in driving engagementwith said jaws so that rotation of said nut with respect to said bodydrives said jaws into and out of said nose section axial bore: d. abearing disposed between said body and said nut, said bearing includingan inner race, an outer race and bearing balls maintained therebetween;e. a front sleeve member rotatably disposed about said nose section ofsaid body, said front sleeve member having a cylindrical recess formedin a front portion thereof; and f. a nosepiece secured to said body nosesection. said nosepiece having a generally cylindrical sidewall and anend wall extending radially inward therefrom, at least a portion of saidgenerally cylindrical sidewall being received within said cylindricalrecess of said front sleeve member so that said front sleeve member isaxially fixed relative to said body.
 11. The chuck as in claim 10, saidbearing further including a shroud that secures said inner and out racetogether.